Tissue for cigarettes



Dec. 11, 1934.

J. E. BRANDENBYERGER TISSUE FOR CIGARETTES- Filed April 25, 1932INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 11, 1934 UNITED STATES TISSUE FORCIGARETTES Jacques Edwin Brandenberger, Neuilly-sur-Seine,

France, assignor to Du Pont Cellophane Company, Inc., New York, N. Y.,

Delaware a corporation of Application April 25, 1932, Serial No. 607,360

4 Claims.

This invention relatesto cigarettes and more particularly to the tissuein which tobacco is wrapped to form a cigarette.

Recently, there has been devised a process for producing sheets or filmsof regenerated cellulose having a thickness of .less than 0.02 mm.,

for example 0.01 mm., (see copending application- Serial No. 607,492,filed April 25, 1932).

The instant invention has for an object the use of these thin sheets orfilms of regenerated cellulose as a tissue in which tobacco is wrappedto form cigarettes.

Other objects will appear from the following description, appendedclaims and accompanying drawing in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a cigarette prepared inaccordance with the principles of the instant invention.

Referring now to the drawing wherein there is illustrated a cigaretteproduced in any wellknown manner, the reference numeral 1 designates atube formed of the thin variety of sheets or films of regeneratedcellulose in which the tobacco 2 is disposed. If desired, a tip ormouthpiece 3 formed of cork or other suitable material may be providedon the cigarette, as illustrated in the drawing.

The tube is, as has been previously stated, formed from a sheet or filmof regenerated cellu- 30 lose having a thickness less than 0.02 mm., and

preferably 0.01 mm. The sheets or films of regenerated cellulose areprepared as set forth in copending application Serial No. 607,492.

In the method most extensively utilized in the manufacture of sheets orfilms of regenerated cellulose, the purified film before passing intothe drier is impregnated with a softener, such as glycerin, by passagethrough an aqueous bath containing the softener. When such a sheet is 40employed in the manufacture of cigarettes, an undesirable sweet tasteresults and the smoke has a distinct odor and disagreeable taste. Inorder to avoid these defects, the instant invention contemplatesemploying a film of regenerated cellu- 45 lose which is free from anyadded softener, such as glycerin, glycol or the like.

When a thin film or sheet of regenerated cellulose containing nosoftener, such as glycerin, is employed, it is found that the film isextremely 50 fragile and tender with the result that it cannotsuccessfully withstand the mechanical operations to which it issubjected in the cigarette making machines. To avoid this seriousdefect, I have found that, subjected to a strong humidifying treatment,an

if the film free of softener is' elastic product is obtained which isperfectly adapted to all mechanical operations.

In the preferred form of the instant invention, the moisture is suppliedto the film at the outlet of the drier of the machines which are 5employed in directly preparing the film in a pure state. According tothis procedure, a thin sheet or film of regenerated cellulose isprepared by casting the cellulosic solution, such as a viscose solution;in a coagulating bath and regenerat- 10 ing the coagulated film. Theregenerated film is then subjected to the well-known purifyingoperations and passed through the drier which is usually of the rollertype. Since it is desired that the product should not contain any 15softener, such as glycerin, the usual glycerin bath is omitted. As thefilm issues from the drier, it is exposed for a suflicient length oftime to the action of moisture or a very humid atmosphere, this actionbeing regulated so that the entire mass 0 of the film absorbs thedesired amount of moisture.

An atmosphere of suitable hygroscopic degree can, for example, beproduced in a closed tank with the aid of an aqueous solution ofsuitable concentration and containing a substance, such as potassiumcarbonate or glycerin. Alternatively, the requisite moisture content ofthe film may be secured by superdrying the film and then conditioningthe film under controlled conditions, as set forth in copendingapplication Serial No. 593,- 416, filed February 16, 1932.

In actual practice, it has been found that, if the film contains atleast 10 parts of moisture to 90 parts of cellulose, the film willsuccessfully withstand the necessary mechanical operations.

The invention is not restricted to the process immediately abovedescribed. According to the principles of this invention, a sheet orfilm of regenerated cellulose less than 0.02 mm. in thickness andcontaining a softener, such as glycerin, may be prepared. Such a film isthen subjected to an appropriate treatment, such' as a washingtreatment, whereby the softener is substantially eliminated from thefilm. The film is then dried and finally subjected to the conditioningtreatment previously described.

The thin regenerated cellulose film may be subjected to variousoperations, such as embossing, dyeing, ornamentation or the like, prioror during the cigarette forming steps. If desired, a substance whichincreases or facilitates combustion, such as small quantities of analkali nitrate or chlorate, may be incorporated in the film.

A cigarette prepared in accordance with the instant invention is of thesame weight as that in which the usual cigarette papers are employed. Inaddition, by virtue of the transparency of the regenerated cellulose,the tobacco is visible, with the result'that the smoker may at a glanceimmediately perceive the color and hence the quality of the tobacco.Moreover, in view of the fact that sheets or of regenerated celluloseare non-porous, the cigarette possesses a great mechanicalsolidity.

Since it is obvious that various changes andmodifications may be made inthe above description without departing from the nature and spiritthereof, this invention is not restricted thereto except as set forth inthe appended claims.

I claim: 7

1. A tissue in which tobacco is wrapped to form a cigarette comprising atransparent sheet or film of regenerated cellulose less than 0.02 mm. inthickness and free of softener.

2. A tissue in which tobacco is wrapped to form a cigarette comprising atransparent sheet or film o1 regenerated cellulose less than 0.02 mm. inthickness, free of softener, and' containing at least 1 part byweightvof moisture to 9 parts by 5 weight of cellulose. 3. A cigarettecomprising a tobacco filler wrapped in a tube formed of a transparentsheet or film of regenerated cellulose less than 0.02 mm.

in thickness and free of softener.

4. A cigarette comprising a tobacco filler wrapped in a tube formed of atransparent sheet or film of regenerated cellulose less than 0.02 mm. inthickness, free of softener,iand containing at least 1 part by weight ofmoisture to 9 parts by weight of cellulose.

JACQUES EDWIN BRANDENBERGER;

